Dizzy Friday...

I am so THANKFUL it is FRIDAY! 

The pace around here has been so fast this week it makes me dizzy thinking about everything we have to packed into this week. 

We have almost made it through a week where BaBa fit in an extra 19 hours of volunteer medical control at the Marathon and City Track events on top of regular work week. If that wasn't enought to make us dizzy (and cranky) there was MaMa dress rehearsal and pointe practices for the recital. Plus, there were extra appointments, re-starting speech path leading to extra pressure to be somewhere and extra homework when we just wanted to be at home doing nothing!  Finally, there was the mini scare of our beloved Mr. Toby possibly having a mini-stroke/TIA. It turned out it was just an eye-infection causing his face to droop on one side...not a stroke. Kevin too was writing one last panicky final exam for spring session. Nothing was easy this week. Everything has piled up around me.

Mao Ping picks up on any little stress and adds in an extra dizzying dose of misdemeanors. He has a special way of pushing all our buttons when we are under-pressure. He needs constant supervision. This morning started with him steathily pulling out all his sister's toys and playing with them until she discovered him with a shriek of horror. Many tears followed the injustice. He knew he was wrong and starts apologizing "sorry JieJie" over and over. We have been trying hard to give him meaningful consequences hoping that he gets the boundary...he sadly handed over his owl blanket and "Fish"saying "no fair". 

Somedays when everyone is in meltdown mode it is hard to stay positive. It is hard to find joy, peace and be thankful versus exhausted and annoyed.  

Then in the flash of a moment over the last drops of cold morning coffee a promise washes over you:

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days". 
-Psalm 90:14 - 

According to these two mornings can "turn around" and be joyful! (Especially if you spin on your bum and laugh heartily!)  Sometimes you can just see the love and grace ooze out of their pores and that sibling bond grows a bit more. 

They gave a new definition to DIZZY! 

The giggles are contagious. 
They make me laugh too!

The best games are the ones that they make up themselves. Two tiny earthworms crawling through my kitchen.

Smiling 'cuz they are so crazy...and that all that energy is now more positive! 

Our God is a God of second chances, new beginnings, new perspectives and lots of GRACE...the kind that makes you a little dizzy on a Friday morning. 

So glad that when my batteries are low they know how to seize the moment they have been given.

"You have been given now." 
-Romans 12:1-

Samuel is Three...

Three years old today and a happy birthday boy in every way!

Favorite 3yr old things:

• Anything Mater and Lightning McQueen (from the Movie Cars though he's too young to see it! ) 
• Construction Vehicles.
• Anything he can ride.

A few things he can do "ALL By-Self": 

• Sit on the swing in the backyard (but can't make it go)
• Put his shoes on the wrong feet (ALWAYS) :)
• Slide down the slide (even the big one at the park...cause he is so brave!)
• Name all the types of construction machinery and yell out their names while we drive around the city. (Won't stop yelling their name until someone in the car acknowledges that he was right! )
• Take OFF all his clothes...putting them back on is not necessary.
• Eat too fast! :)...then put his hand under his chin, elbow propped up on the table, head titled, heavy sigh of defeat when corrected and repeats...eat slowly!  :(
• Draw circles with purple (just purple!).
• Ride a tricycle, a glider bike, plasma car and a scooter (really anything that moves)
• Notice if something is not in it's usual place or lined up "just right".
• Get up (and sometimes down) off of most things...even things that are "off limits". 
• Scream loudly in delight at anywhere, anytime (likely checking that we are still paying attention to him). 
• Pet the dog (or hug the dog)
• Ask for a snuggle or reassurance from MaMa or BaBa.

A new Glider and a new Radio Flyer Scooter! 

Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable! 

-Plato-

I am glad Plato took the moment to write that one down! This boy is a mover and a shaker! He jumped on that glider bike (and scooter) and took off; no lesson required! 

He loves to run, jump or ride, and is generally found moving. Some days (most days) it wears me out! 

He is obedient as much as any three year old. 

He loves to test his independence but yet most days he understand's that we are still in control and the givers of good things in his world.

Our little boy certainly has a merry heart and a certain charm that he pulls out in sticky situations.

It is the merry-hearted boys that make the best men! 

-Irish proverb-

My favorite sayings of our little 3 yr old: 

"OooooooooK, MaMa!"

"JieJei (older sister) did it! "

"Yep"(...because our english lessons are stellar he already talks like a true Canadian! )

"MaMa hug" or "MaMa kisses"...while making "oogle" eyes and smiling up at me!

It was pretty awesome that we could celebrate his 3rd birthday with Nie Nie Jo and YeYe Dale, along with our good friends Toss, Karen, Maya and baby Torrin (sorry no-one made it into a picture with him!).


Happy Birthday Lil' Man

Love MaMa and BaBa
(or as you like to call us "Ma and Ba"! )

Birthday Boy...21 years on Mother's Day

May 12th, 1992 was my very first Mother's Day!

Twenty one years ago I become a mother for the first time to a beautiful baby boy.

21 Birthdays and 21 Mother's days... Really?...Already?

Once upon a time I cradled and rocked and held you. Now I get to watch from a distance as you come into your own.  You are certainly unique and totally your own man!

Longer, ponytail hair... and bowtie cool. Suit jackets, preppy sweaters, skateboard shoes or dress shoes cool.  Just plain your own man cool!

And there is fine young lady who is by your side now. A smart girl.

Lately we "bungie" as you stretch your wings and get further and further away but still bounce back to home now and then.  I still get my once a day hug and bright eyed smile, but I know that your heart is drifting from home - as it should be.

My birthday wish for you: Remember you were created purposefully by our Father in Heaven. Your life's purpose will be revealed to you at the right time. God's timing is always the right time! Never forget that crossroad picture in Glasgow...the one where you stood in the intersection of Glassford Street and Ingram Street...the place where both your families began. ( https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&q=map+of+glasgow+scotland&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&ei=EpGQUamlEYXYqgG1-IDAAQ&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAg.) To think that crossroad still exists after all the urban change a city goes through. You saw it first hand. You were meant to be here and change this world, for the good. Bowtie and all! 

Kevin means "beautiful one" in gaelic. I chose this name to honor my long ago Irish/Scotish heritage; your double Scottish hertitage. Somehow I figured this name would suit those beautiful blue eyes.

I am so glad that I have had twenty one years to delight in those dazzling blue eyes!

Love you baby...always and forever!

I am so glad God chose me to be your mom!

Happy Birthday!